Bon voyage! (Part 1)

Mariner of the Seas - one of the many Royal Caribbean cruise ships - was where we spent 5D4N last week. We started from Marina Bay Cruise Center, Singapore - Port Klang, Malaysia - Phuket, Thailand - Cruising at sea - back to Singapore. Instead of posting pictures of Facebook, I figured out that I might as well write a comprehensive post (or maybe not THAT comprehensive) about it.

I saw pictures of the ship before the cruise, but looking at it with my own eyes I have to say - it is indeed HUMONGOUSLY GIGANTIC! It has a total of 15 decks and able to take up 3,700 human beings. I've seen a cruise ship. But definitely not this big. Bear in mind that I tried to select the best pictures that portrays the voyage we embarked and I guess in the end, most pictures are so post-worthy (hence this lengthy post).

First of all, I thank God I did not have a single moment of being seasick (as I did before in a ship years and years earlier). I overheard someone in the cruise ship said that it cost 135USD just to see a doctor on the ship. *gulp*

A visit to Pagoda Street, Singapore. I couldn't help but to keep on saying 

this place reminds me of Penang Art Town.

Meeting cousin Clare and Ata for dinner.

Checking in at the Cruise Center

 As I mentioned earlier, HUMONGOUSLY GIGANTIC. This thing is literally a moving building.

One of the main dining rooms on deck 3 - Rhapsody of the Blues.

Look familiar? *whispers:Titanic*

View from deck 5 dining room - Sound of Music

Royal Promenade (Deck 5)

This is where people gathers to hang and shop around.

Royal Promenade (Deck 5): Where pizzas, desserts, coffees, teas, 

sandwiches are endless (hence the crowd)

Loving the Christmas decorations all over the ship <3

As the song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year~

This painting had me staring at it intently. So much emotions going on.

One of the many bars on the ship.

On the first evening, DreamWorks Characters did an awesome parade along the Royal Promenade that keeps the young, younger and youngest (dua kali lima sama sija semua) excited and dancing.

Internet lounge. Disclaimer: It is not free. It is costly.

Mom saw this and she sang the Halleluia (no not literally of course.)

Whirlpool just outside the gym. Deck 11.

Inside the Savoy Theater. About to watch a movie in 3D.

Skylight Chapel on Deck 15. Eventually it's only functional when there are 

couples who intent on getting married on the ship.

Art Gallery on Deck 3

Gym.

The Savoy Theater on Deck 4

The talented classical guitarist - Misael

Wayfinder is found on every deck. It shows what's happening, tentatively, on the cruise. It also show you where's the nearest washroom, dining rooms, etc.

Very very informative. Personally speaking, too many things to choose to do at the same hour. So you really have to know what you really want to do otherwise you'll end up doing nothing. They have things happening simultaneously at different places on the ship.

One of the most populated place - Deck 11 - the pool (adult and children)

Solarium (Deck 11): Adult-only pool

This is my favorite spot on the entire ship. Seriously. You can swim, relax, read, sleep and repeat.

Adult only jaccuzi

It's 5PM and we embarked the journey to the next port of call - Port Klang

So this marks the end of the first part of this entry about our trip.

Kundasang, here we come!

Our youth group had a short 2D1N trip up to one of the most visited places in Sabah - Kundasang. It's cold and very close to the majestic Mount Kinabalu. Here are some of the places we visited during the trip. This post is going to be more pictures displayed than words.

"A picture worth a thousand words."

First day: Canopy walk in Poring, Ranau

Entrance fee for the main entrance is RM3 for adult and RM1 for students. Canopy walk fee is another RM3 (adult) and RM1.50 (Student). Not to forget RM5 per camera/handphone camera. (Although I have doubts how will they be sure people won't take out their phone in the middle of the canopy walk teehee :))

The first of the five canopy-walk trails. It starts out with a reasonable height.

Strong and sturdy tree. Wonder how old it is.

Took this on our last stretch of canopy walk. Finger serves as a standard to show how tall the tree is! It's soooo tall! I must admit that it is quite daunting to look straight down. Feels like you're a step from falling. *gulp!*

Canopy walk: checked!

We checked in our Asparagus Cabin in Kiram's Village, Mesilau at about 3PM. It's a two-storey cabin with two toilets, a kitchen (with kitchen utilities, refridgerator, stove, gas), a living room, a dining area, balcony, and 4 bedrooms. For 12 people (18 max with extra mattresses). It's quite cold during the time of our visit.

Picture: Habel, Nina and Paul were starting up the barbecue and some chickens on the grill. 

Jeremiah and Faye beating the cold by switching their jackets. Yeap

Our humble but filling dinner prepared by Ninawau and team.

Our view in the morning as we do our morning devotion. Super love the serenity this place delivers!

Some woke up earlier than the rest, so we decided to go for a walk out from the Village.

Kiram's Village offers a range of cabins with really cute name of vegetables. Highly recommended if you're looking for a place to wind down, relax and just soak in the nature. Perfect for family. Oh, they also have restaurant that serves quite a variety of food like fried rice, etc. 

Jamming sessions with the bright sound of ukulele.

Sunday service at the cabin. :)

Paid a visit at Desa Dairy Farm, Kundasang. 

Can you spot the hidden Mickey? ;)

OMG.... Rosemary!!!!!!!

So that concludes our short trip to Kundasang. Although it wasn't long, I personally think it's just nice for a nice time of fellowship as well as relaxing and enjoyable! 

Nethy

Be blessed!

The One who Creates

As a little girl, I've heard from my parents that God created all things, including humans. I've accepted it without a question. As I grow older, I began to realize there are more sophisticated things me such as computers, cellphones, television, etc. And these were created (invented) by homo sapiens (aka human beings).

They say girls tend to think A LOT. Maybe I'm one of them. I don't know. But one thing I do know is that, at that point of time, I began to think of the creators of all these sophisticated things. The inventor of the first telephone, the first airplane, the first wheel, the first light. As I ponder upon it, it struck to me that, actually, everything starts with God - the Creator. Men may boast in their inventions and wisdom, but it was actually because God who created an organ called 'brain' that enables men to think, probe, discover, question, plan, and to finally 'invent' these things. God also created all the elements, forces that is needed to make 'inventions' work.

You may wonder, why. on. earth. am. I. talking. about. such. an. issue.?

I guess most part of it is because I've been meditating, pondering and reading about The Creator. He created. He creates. Yes, present tense. One of my favorite stories was the story of Creation. All the trees, plants, oceans, sky, sun, moon, stars, animals, human, etc, that were created are wonderful! However, we human are fearfully and wonderfully made. God is able to create a new, clean heart within us. He is able to create, provide and bless you, and me. There is a jubilant feeling knowing that God IS the creator. Again, yes, present tense.

Came across this one video about the earth in comparison to the whole universe. It starts with a mountain on earth, and it zooms out to show planet earth. It zooms out further to show other nearby planets. Then the whole solar system, and the Milkyway, and the galaxies surround it. 

Jaw dropping, indeed.

Earth is smaller than an ant, a period, compared to the entire universe. In fact, earth is no where to be seen when the entire universe was zoomed out! And only God knows how big the universe actually is.

Some of us may be artistic, some may not, but he/she is good in journaling. Some may be good in studies, some may not, but he/she may be good in athletic. How good (and consoling) it is to know that there is no replicate of you in this entire earth. Because if that is the case (literally a duplicate of you from the inside out), then it would be eerie. According to a projection, the world's population was projected to be over 8 billion by the year 2030. Imagine that number, and the variety of people with no any two persons duplicated. Mamamia... Only God can do that. 

I will end with this note:

If God can command something to be created out of nothing, we can be sure that He is able to make the impossible, possible in you.

All glory to Abba!

Hike + Relationship

I once told Gan that his blog is haunted because it's outdated. I chuckled as I stand in that same spot now, too. My last post was, I  think, about 1 year ago. Seriously honestly, I have only been blogging in this brain of mine. If that's not the case, then it will be journalism. Have I mentioned how I loooooove journaling?? Contrary to what people said, journalism is more than a therapeutic thing to do. The spiritual journal that I have is precious conversation between me and Abba. It's a safe place for me to express myself. Spiritual journalism helped me in a tremendous way. Being an introvert, words are many in my brain than in speech (although I have somehow learned to become extrovert in a way, at times, I do get wordy. P.s.- Gan can testify this hoho)

There was once when I was at a low point, I felt a nudge to read up one of my earliest journal book back in 2009. It was mind-blowing and eye-opening! God has been so so rich in His goodness. I read and read, and although it was written by me, it felt like Abba was consoling me over and over again. I couldn't help but broke down in tears. Even words are so limited to describe that moment.

These few weeks I am reminded again of His favor. That He, stedfastly, is with me. Yesterday, our youth group went for a hike to the Crocker Range. What I thought to be a 3-hours hike turned out to be 4-hours hike. My last, long hike was years ago and so, I felt like an old grandma going up the hill by foot (okay, maybe not as old as a grandma, but my point is - IT'S TIRING)

When we started, it was easy and fun. Then it became challenging as we hike to a higher altitude. Soon, we began panting heavily. The too-relaxed-muscles began to work and contract. As we reached a stretch of palm trees, Fenella said, "This is Forgetful Green!" Now, Forgetful Green she referred to was a place in a book that she just read, where people tend to forget their main purpose/focus/destination. Often, it was because of the attractions of the surrounding or influences that distracts. As we hike further up, it became clear that we need to rest. We continued for the steeper slope and just longing to reach our destination. After 2 full hours, we finally made it!

Life is as such. There are times to walk on, time to slow down, time to rest. However, I learned that the journey is worth it because of the destination that awaits, the company around us that encourages and God's presence that assures & empowers.

(When we reached our destination during the hike, the funny thing was this: Fenella said OK now it's times for us to go back because God says our job is not done yet! haha..)

Moving on...

Today -  marks 2 full years with Gan (YAY!). He is my bestfriend and a man that is after God's heart (and after my heart. No no, I'm kidding. But not really kidding.) I remembered when I first met him, being only as friends, I was being very, very stereotypical about relationship. Like, VERY. I would intelligently predict his motives based on his actions and tried to make conclusion in my brain that his true color would show over the time. Ugh. Ugly truth but, that was how it started. Nevertheless, he was amazingly calm (or, look calm) and wasn't being defensive. That was one of the reasons when I realized he was a very friendly, good guy. We get along well and became good friends.

[Long story cut short] After some years of friendship, prior to going in a relationship, he met with my parents for blessing. Now, let me tell you - this wasn't our custom. Normally, boys and girls hook up with anyone, without anyone's knowing. (I can testify to this, too) So I had some time of my own to process this when Gan brought it up. The day came when he sat down with my parents and dined together. And talked. And it was a good night. I didn't expect to have such a feeling, at that moment. Not only we were already officially a couple, but there was something more. He honored my parents. And that is one thing that I am truly grateful for!

There was ups and downs in our relationship. Needless to say, this is totally normal in any relationship. I would say, in short, over the 2 years, we have learned to respect one another, communicate better, encourage one another better, speak truth to one another, pray for one another and love one another. And I know both of us would say, this would not have been possible if Abba is not in it. In fact, being both leaders, our big heads got bigger sometimes, and there are numerous times when we felt that Abba is teaching us to be humble to one another. Now "that" is something powerful in a relationship. If we are not humble, either one of us will have dominion over the other (And we are no Adam & Eve or whatsoever). Thank You, Abba...

Wow, I would never thought I would write this down in a post. However, I thought it will somehow bless others. So, be blessed!

Nethy.

One of the best feelings

Dad went to Europe for two weeks earlier this month and sometimes he send us updates, pictures and even videos. Things were fine and smooth here and also there but still, I found myself missing him a bit. When the earthquake struck weeks ago, one of the first batch of people I informed was my dad and mom and of course, Gan (as he was in KL at that time). I wanted dad to know how we are doing and not to worry much. The first thing in my mind was to eliminate any worries for him (also for them).

Mannn. The earthquake was unbelievable to me. I never ever thought it would hit this land (since its not apart of the ring of fire and stuffs like that). That morning was one of the mornings I would remember well. I was in a deep sleep when suddenly, the house walls begin to move back and forth, shaking steadily strong. I literally jumped out of bed as I know it was not a dream (not that I ever had an earthquake in a dream before). I heard a shout from the kitchen and the next thing I know, I was outside the house, watching for any possible danger. Praise God, it was a brief quake.

And of course, on that day itself, everyone in Sabah (And I'd like to believe, Malaysia) mourns for the deaths of some courageous mountain guides and climbers due to the quake. It was a brief quake for me, but, it was brief and powerful enough to take lives of some people. I cried when I heard of the loss of these dear people although I didn't know any of them. Especially the mountain guides. 

p.s. - Looking forward for the charity concert dedicated to the mountain guides this weekend. Sales from the tickets will all go the MG right away (and this can be assured as the charity concert was a joint effort of various local artists and they willingly organised this without getting any payment! Salute!) Always wanted to contribute something for them, apart from prayers. You can come and join too!

As we waited for dad's arrival, we found out that his flight has been delayed and hence, he will only arrive two days later than we expected.

I never knew this before but, one of the best feelings was when Dad came home safely. Couldn't help but to hug him. There was such a relief at that point of time. More than getting the souvenirs from him, I treasure his presence more. 

I guess that's how it is when we are with our heavenly Father. When we feel his tangible presence, deep and loving enough to make us feel whole, secure and full of joy. No words are needed. Just His presence alone.

Nethy.

DONE.

I'm done. Wow. Have you ever finished a task and you feel like giving yourself a pat at the back? I feel exactly like that now. I never imagined it would be that tough of a task.

Translating a book is not the same as translating songs or speeches or writing a book. This takes more understanding of the subject, terminology and oh, the difference in language. I mean, there's absolutely no way I can literally translate an English saying into Bahasa Malaysia! (it sounds funny and comical)
Yet, as tiring as it could get, I'm glad I took this challenge. It taught me a lot (and I personally think I was meant to read the book as well while translating).

All in all, I've basically read the whole book twice!
One for translating and another round of reading for editing.
Even editing is not easy . . .
But this book is very good! So good that I had to google about the author Jim Rohn. And his mentor.
And the people that were impacted by his mentor.
Although its a book for business success, there were moments while doing the translation I thought I was reading a Christian book. The principles in it are Biblical and sound.

Another thing I learned is  to appreciate books better.
As much as we are in the high-tech era now, old fashioned books are still the in-thing to read from!

Till then, adios~

Taking a step forward.

Health is a crucial part of our human life.

Nowadays, I love drinking detox water. Mint and lemon is my favorite combination. They say watermelon, lemon and mint is also very good.
I can feel my digestive system getting healthier and healthier. (literally.)
But exercise is needed too. No matter how much detox water I drank, its not gonna get me anywhere near to good health if I don't watch my food intake.

Taking a step forward is a decision. How do I relate detox-things with this?

We can always be comfortable once we are in our comfort zone (detox water), however, we are not really dealing with the real issue (need of exercise).

At times, we think are we are doing things right.

But it occurred to me that doing the right things, doesn't make us right, if its not REALLY the right thing (even if we think its the right thing).
We human love to justify our actions. You can call it human nature.
Writing this post, I simply just want to share, remind myself & share it with everyone that- 
In our journey, taking a step forward in faith and obedience brings us a step up to maturity. (despite people may or may not agree with you.) [and its a personal thing anyway, so, look up and see God smiling down on you as you listen and obey.]

Let us inclined our ears closer to Him and obey.

Blessings,
Nethy